The Inupaiq Hierarchy
For a little background information:The Inupaiq people focus on family and hunting for survival. They do not interact much with others outside of their group. Every item they own is an item that they either made, hunted for, or collected. They wear traditional clothing made out of prepared pelts from their kills. In the summer, they will create shelters out of hides, bones, and sticks. In the winter, they will produce igloos, which are hollow rooms created with snow blocks that are essential places to preserve heat. The meeting spot of the group in the summer is often out near the seashore, under an overturned canoe or temporary hide shelter. Here, the children are taught about the myths and religion of their people, and the group will share items amongst each other to help everyone through the winter.
Umialik-This is the leader of the Inuit tribe and will always be a male. His goal is to gain wealth and prosperity for the group. To have a successful family, the Umialik aims to have many skilled hunters and sewers. He is the most powerful person in the group and will make any final decisions. There is one Umialik in a tribe. This position is earned.
Nuliaqpak- This is the wife of the Umialik and serves somewhat as second in command. The Inupiaq tends to be a patriarchal clan, and thus, the Umialik’s wife is not completely equal with his rank. The Nuliaqpak has great skill in caring for the tribe and in creating materials for housing and clothing. She is highly respected, and shares the wealth of the Umialik. There is one Nuliaqpak in the tribe. This position is earned.
Angatquq- This is the shaman of the tribe. He holds the religious lore and is a very powerful being in the group. He will teach the young about the stories of their ancestors, and will provide advice for the tribe when they seek it. There is one shaman in the tribe. This position is earned.
Hunters- These are the highly skilled members of the tribe who provide food for the whole family. They have great experience in hunting and are in charge of all hunts. These members are especially important when food is scarce, because they are the ones everyone relies on. Hunters are generally men.
Sewers- Sewers will work with the hide and bones of the kills that the hunters make to create summer shelters for the group. They also provide clothing for all and cook the meals. Additionally, they will collect berries during the late summer months for food, and will keep the fires going. These important members are generally females.
Herbal Inuit- These are the people who provide and apply cures for ailments and disease. They use natural herbs and instructions that have been passed down for generations. They are very smart. Not all members could make the cut to be an Herbal Inuit, so they are a much resected group. Both males and females may participate, though females are generally more common here.
Apprentices- The young Inupiaqs aged from 10 upwards will become apprentices. This is a very ritualistic process, and once a child choses the ‘career’ that they want to apprentice, there is almost no going back. 10 year olds are considered responsible and will be expected to behave very well.
Children- Any child is considered under the age of 10, and are helpful only in helping their mothers to prepare the meals, cleaning the area, and feeding the sled dogs. They are expected to learn from the shaman at this age about their people.
Outcasts- This Inupiaq tribe cannot remember the last time that they have cast out a member of their tribe. However, becoming an outcast is still a threat that every member needs to be aware of. Any serious crime or failure to abide by the Umialik’s rules could result in becoming an outcast. Outcasts are not given a trial or any other process, it is completely the Umialik’s decision. Outcasts are no longer allowed to stay in the group or in their territory. They can no longer share the tribe’s food or warmth, and will likely die with the coming winter. The tribe may provide an outcast with a coat or a knife for survival, depending on the severity of the crime.
Umialik-This is the leader of the Inuit tribe and will always be a male. His goal is to gain wealth and prosperity for the group. To have a successful family, the Umialik aims to have many skilled hunters and sewers. He is the most powerful person in the group and will make any final decisions. There is one Umialik in a tribe. This position is earned.
Nuliaqpak- This is the wife of the Umialik and serves somewhat as second in command. The Inupiaq tends to be a patriarchal clan, and thus, the Umialik’s wife is not completely equal with his rank. The Nuliaqpak has great skill in caring for the tribe and in creating materials for housing and clothing. She is highly respected, and shares the wealth of the Umialik. There is one Nuliaqpak in the tribe. This position is earned.
Angatquq- This is the shaman of the tribe. He holds the religious lore and is a very powerful being in the group. He will teach the young about the stories of their ancestors, and will provide advice for the tribe when they seek it. There is one shaman in the tribe. This position is earned.
Hunters- These are the highly skilled members of the tribe who provide food for the whole family. They have great experience in hunting and are in charge of all hunts. These members are especially important when food is scarce, because they are the ones everyone relies on. Hunters are generally men.
Sewers- Sewers will work with the hide and bones of the kills that the hunters make to create summer shelters for the group. They also provide clothing for all and cook the meals. Additionally, they will collect berries during the late summer months for food, and will keep the fires going. These important members are generally females.
Herbal Inuit- These are the people who provide and apply cures for ailments and disease. They use natural herbs and instructions that have been passed down for generations. They are very smart. Not all members could make the cut to be an Herbal Inuit, so they are a much resected group. Both males and females may participate, though females are generally more common here.
Apprentices- The young Inupiaqs aged from 10 upwards will become apprentices. This is a very ritualistic process, and once a child choses the ‘career’ that they want to apprentice, there is almost no going back. 10 year olds are considered responsible and will be expected to behave very well.
Children- Any child is considered under the age of 10, and are helpful only in helping their mothers to prepare the meals, cleaning the area, and feeding the sled dogs. They are expected to learn from the shaman at this age about their people.
Outcasts- This Inupiaq tribe cannot remember the last time that they have cast out a member of their tribe. However, becoming an outcast is still a threat that every member needs to be aware of. Any serious crime or failure to abide by the Umialik’s rules could result in becoming an outcast. Outcasts are not given a trial or any other process, it is completely the Umialik’s decision. Outcasts are no longer allowed to stay in the group or in their territory. They can no longer share the tribe’s food or warmth, and will likely die with the coming winter. The tribe may provide an outcast with a coat or a knife for survival, depending on the severity of the crime.
The Tikaani pack Hierarchy
Note: Although every rank has specialized details, every wolf is in charge of helping to raise the pups. The pups are essential for the survival of the pack. Everyone will help to feed the mother and pups, as well as protect and teach the pups.
Alphas- These are the leaders of the pack. They enforce their dominance and rules, and will protect the territory and the weaker members. They are imperative on any substantial hunt and are the primary reproductive unit of the pack. Additionally, they are in charge of marking the territory. There are two alphas in a fully established pack, and they are a mated pair. This is an earned position.
Beta- This wolf is second in command, and serves as the alpha’s closest consultant. A Beta will aid in keeping members in line, and is the main harasser of the Omegas. The Beta also helps in hunts, and after the alphas, is the strongest wolf in the pack. This is an earned position.
Hunters- These wolves are very fit, athletic beings that are in the prime of their life. They have a lot of experience during hunts, and are the main power behind any kill.
Omegas- Omegas are the lowest ranking wolves in the hierarchy. Any wolf that is allowed into the pack will start as an Omega until they can be truly trusted. Otherwise, Omegas are the old, young, injured, or very submissive members of the pack, and serve as a stress relief for the higher ranking individuals. They are often picked on and will not be allowed to feed on a carcass until the others have eaten. These wolves do have an important role in that they will watch over the pack’s pups once the pups have graduated from the den and their mother’s milk. Even though the whole pack is in charge of caring for the young, the Omegas are the baby sitters at the rendezvous site while the others hunt, and are usually the most tolerant with the antics of the young ones.
Half-Years- This term is applied to any young wolf with an age of between 6 months and a year. They are the young, reckless wolves in the pack who are still learning the ropes in hunting and socializing. Unless they are weak, Half-Years will be allowed to attend hunts, but will not actually participate in them. They are in their learning stages, and the pack will begin to show real dominance towards them as they move closer to a year old. Once they are a year old, they will generally be considered Omegas until they are fully mature, where they may be transferred to the Hunter rank.
Pup- This rank is pretty self-explanatory. This is a wolf under 6 months. For a time they will rely on their mother's milk, and then will graduate to regurgitated meat that the pack will provide. They have no responsibilities besides being cute and having fun.
Peripherals- These wolves are outside of the pack’s territories and are equivalent to lone wolves. They are strictly not tolerated in the pack’s territory and cannot join the pack unless the alpha(s) are having a good day and the prey is plentiful. Still, there is a rather low acceptance rate into the pack. Peripherals can mate, hunt, and try their own dominance on each other. Please do remember though, life is harder for a wolf with no pack, especially during the winter. Raising pups as a Peripheral has a low success rate, as does hunting alone. All new wolf characters must start as a Peripheral.
Alphas- These are the leaders of the pack. They enforce their dominance and rules, and will protect the territory and the weaker members. They are imperative on any substantial hunt and are the primary reproductive unit of the pack. Additionally, they are in charge of marking the territory. There are two alphas in a fully established pack, and they are a mated pair. This is an earned position.
Beta- This wolf is second in command, and serves as the alpha’s closest consultant. A Beta will aid in keeping members in line, and is the main harasser of the Omegas. The Beta also helps in hunts, and after the alphas, is the strongest wolf in the pack. This is an earned position.
Hunters- These wolves are very fit, athletic beings that are in the prime of their life. They have a lot of experience during hunts, and are the main power behind any kill.
Omegas- Omegas are the lowest ranking wolves in the hierarchy. Any wolf that is allowed into the pack will start as an Omega until they can be truly trusted. Otherwise, Omegas are the old, young, injured, or very submissive members of the pack, and serve as a stress relief for the higher ranking individuals. They are often picked on and will not be allowed to feed on a carcass until the others have eaten. These wolves do have an important role in that they will watch over the pack’s pups once the pups have graduated from the den and their mother’s milk. Even though the whole pack is in charge of caring for the young, the Omegas are the baby sitters at the rendezvous site while the others hunt, and are usually the most tolerant with the antics of the young ones.
Half-Years- This term is applied to any young wolf with an age of between 6 months and a year. They are the young, reckless wolves in the pack who are still learning the ropes in hunting and socializing. Unless they are weak, Half-Years will be allowed to attend hunts, but will not actually participate in them. They are in their learning stages, and the pack will begin to show real dominance towards them as they move closer to a year old. Once they are a year old, they will generally be considered Omegas until they are fully mature, where they may be transferred to the Hunter rank.
Pup- This rank is pretty self-explanatory. This is a wolf under 6 months. For a time they will rely on their mother's milk, and then will graduate to regurgitated meat that the pack will provide. They have no responsibilities besides being cute and having fun.
Peripherals- These wolves are outside of the pack’s territories and are equivalent to lone wolves. They are strictly not tolerated in the pack’s territory and cannot join the pack unless the alpha(s) are having a good day and the prey is plentiful. Still, there is a rather low acceptance rate into the pack. Peripherals can mate, hunt, and try their own dominance on each other. Please do remember though, life is harder for a wolf with no pack, especially during the winter. Raising pups as a Peripheral has a low success rate, as does hunting alone. All new wolf characters must start as a Peripheral.